87R13999 MLH-F

By: Bonnen, Goldman, et al. H.B. No. 574

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 574:

By: Clardy C.S.H.B. No. 574

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the elements of the criminal offense of election fraud; increasing criminal penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 276.013(a) and (b), Election Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly or intentionally makes any effort to:

(1) influence the independent exercise of the vote of another in the presence of the ballot or during the voting process;

(2) cause a voter to become registered, a ballot to be obtained, or a vote to be cast under false pretenses; [or]

(3) count invalid votes or alter a report to include invalid votes;

(4) fail to count valid votes or alter a report to exclude valid votes; or

(5) [(3)] cause any intentionally misleading statement, representation, or information to be provided:

(A) to an election official; or

(B) on an application for ballot by mail, carrier envelope, or any other official election-related form or document.

(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree [Class A misdemeanor].

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.